2025 NFL Mock Draft: Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and 3 other QBs go Round 1 while Michigan dominates early
The NFL Draft is less than six months from now. Several terrible NFL teams have already just about eliminated themselves from contention. College football season is nearing its end already somehow. So, what does that mean? It's definitely time to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft as the next class of top prospects is […]
The NFL Draft is less than six months from now. Several terrible NFL teams have already just about eliminated themselves from contention. College football season is nearing its end already somehow. So, what does that mean? It's definitely time to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft as the next class of top prospects is beginning to take shape.
We asked six of our NFL Draft contributors here at A to Z Sports to put together our second collaborative first round 2025 NFL Mock Draft of the year, taking turns selecting for all 32 NFL teams. Our team of draft analysts utilized detailed film analysis, meaningful metrics, and intel from NFL staffers to help inform every selection. This draft order reflects the actual current first round of the 2025 NFL Draft as of this writing. Enjoy!
1. New England Patriots
Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn State
After trading Josh Uche, the Patriots need to really strengthen their pass rush. From a pure upside perspective, there might not be a better athlete in the class than Carter. – Ryan Roberts
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham, DT Michigan
Mason Graham is having another monstrous season with a pass rush pressure rate around 12% (double the defensive tackle average) and five sacks. His high motor, athleticism, and strength make him an unstoppable force along the defensive front. This might feel early to select a defensive tackle, but he's special. – Travis May
3. New Orleans Saints
Cam Ward, QB Miami (FL)
New Orleans is in total rebuild mode after firing HC Dennis Allen on Tuesday and severely needs an influx of energy. Cam Ward signals the start of something new in NOLA. He will immediately engage a fanbase that has been searching for a QB since the retirement of Drew Brees. – Rob Gregson
Miami QB Cam Ward bet on himself, and could cash in with some hardware and an even bigger payday
The incredible story behind Miami QB Cam Ward, and his journey to the top
4. Carolina Panthers
Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
The Panthers aren't going to give up on Bryce Young just yet and they have some nice pieces on both the offensive line and at running back. Get the best wide receiver in the draft in McMillan, who is a big target that can also get yards after the catch. – Tyler Forness
5. Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
Deion Sanders might hate it, but Cleveland has to be aggressive in addressing its long-term need at quarterback. Shedeur's playmaking and high IQ projects well into Kevin Stefanski's offense compared to bigger projects who I think should slide into Round 2. – Ian Valentino
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Garrett Nussmeier, QB LSU
This is going to be painted as a reach, which almost makes it make more sense when you think about it. Over the last few drafts you see at least one and sometimes two QBs go significantly higher than anyone expected, and it's because of how many teams around the league have no future plan at QB currently on their roster. The Raiders certainly fall in that category, so I have them reaching on LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier. – Destin Adams
7. New York Giants
Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama
Milroe is far from a perfect prospect but the Giants need new blood behind center. His combination of athleticism and arm strength make him an impressive player to build around potentially. – Ryan Roberts
Can LSU stop Jalen Milroe and other burning questions ahead of Saturday night’s massive rivalry game vs. Alabama
It’s a massive game on Saturday night for the Tigers
8. Miami Dolphins
James Pearce Jr., EDGE Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. is the best true pass rusher in the class given his long resume of elite pressure and win rates off the edge. The Dolphins need another strong edge defender who can plug and play nearly every down. – Travis May
9. Tennessee Titans
Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado
Arguably the most dynamic player in the 2025 Class, the Titans need help at both WR and CB and Hunter can provide instant production at either position, if not both. It’s an easy choice for Tennessee if he lasts this long. – Rob Gregson
10. New York Jets
Will Johnson, CB Michigan
The Jets are likely going to lose D.J. Reed in free agency, so why not take most analyst's CB1 to play opposite of Sauce Gardner in a defense that asks you to play a lot of man coverage? It's a steal for the Jets if he lasts this long. – Tyler Forness
11. Dallas Cowboys
Luther Burden, WR Missouri
Outside of CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have one of the worst supporting casts in the NFL. The lack of receiving depth in this class further emphasizes the need to take one of the top options in the first round. Burden compares favorably to Ja'Marr Chase. – Ian Valentino
12. Indianapolis Colts
Jalon Walker, LB Georgia
If the board fell like this it wouldn't be great for the Colts. Going secondary would be the route fans want more than a LB/pass rusher. However, Jalon Walker is a game changing type of player who can play multiple roles for a defense. I think he will make his money in the NFL as a pass rusher but his ability as a stand up LB would also benefit Indy's defense. – Destin Adams
13. Cincinnati Bengals
Malaki Starks, S Georgia
Starks has an argument as one of, if not the best, prospects in the 2025 class regardless of position. He immediately upgrades the back end for the Bengals. – Ryan Roberts
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tacario Davis, CB Arizona
Todd Bowles loves to play a physical brand of man coverage and Davis provides that in droves. He will make an impact right away in a cornerback room that needs the help. – Tyler Forness
15. Seattle Seahawks
Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss
This is Jaxson Dart's second top notch season in a row as he's crushing every single meaningful metric that helps predict draft capital and future NFL success. He is a top tier QB in this class. Geno Smith is very close to being on the way out for Seattle. – Travis May
16. Los Angeles Rams
Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame
The Rams desperately need help in their secondary but especially at CB. Morrison has the traits and pedigree to be a starter out of the gate. He would be a solid building block for a roster that doesn't know if it wants to contend or rebuild. – Rob Gregson
17. San Francisco 49ers
LT Overton, EDGE Alabama
Instead of patchwork veterans across from Nick Bosa, the 49ers need a long-term playmaker. LT Overton has the size, fluidity, and raw tools to become an excellent, versatile presence for this defensive front. – Ian Valentino
18. Chicago Bears
Tyler Booker, IOL Alabama
The Bears have to do a better job at protecting Caleb Williams under center. It appears their tackles are solid and will only keep getting better, but the interior of their line needs a lot of work. Alabama's Tyler Booker is a day one starter at either guard spot. Which would allow them to be look at multiple other veteran options to also add in the offseason to ensure they get better play out of that spot in 2025. – Destin Adams
19. Denver Broncos
Mykel Williams, EDGE Georgia
You can never have enough talented pass rushers. The team just re-signed Jonathon Cooper but also traded away Baron Browning. Williams is an ascending talent with Pro Bowl upside if developed properly. – Ryan Roberts
20. Arizona Cardinals
Kelvin Banks, OT Texas
Kelvin Banks has played over 300 snaps of pass blocking and his one sack allowed wasn't even his fault. He's an elite pass blocker with 1st round measurables. Pairs well with Paris Johnson for Arizona long term. – Travis May
21. Los Angeles Chargers
Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M
We know Jim Harbaugh believes in playing and winning ball through the trenches. Another offensive lineman can't be ruled out, but with Joey Bosa likely playing his final season in LA, the Chargers are going to want to insert some new blood at pass rusher. Scourton is a heavy EDGE that will play with physicality yet athleticism requisite of a Jim Harbaugh-led team. – Rob Gregson
22. Atlanta Falcons
Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
The Falcons see an edge rusher run right in front of them so they make a selection to maximize Kirk Cousins. Egbuka can slide right into the slot with Drake London as your X and Darnell Mooney as your Y. – Tyler Forness
Ryan Day got real about Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka after he recorded a hat trick against Iowa
What a game for the senior.
23. Green Bay Packers
Derrick Harmon, DT Oregon
Kenny Clark isn't getting younger, and the Packers' defense is doing more with less as far as talent. Derrick Harmon is a game-wrecker, and can pair with Clark until it's time for the veteran to retire. – Ian Valentino
24. Baltimore Ravens
Deone Walker, DT Kentucky
The Texans defensive line has been one of the best in the league in 2024. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson are a scary duo off the edge. And Denico Autry provides solid pressure in the pass game out of the interior. I think the final missing piece on their line is someone who can help swallow a gap in the run game. Kentucky's Deone Walker is a massive man who I think would make a day one impact for the Texans and improve an already stellar defensive line. – Destin Adams
25. Houston Texans
Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Dalton Schultz just isn't the same guy anymore. Getting a player like Loveland brings a big time middle of the field target for quarterback CJ Stroud. Despite the Michigan passing game struggles, Loveland is still quite good. – Ryan Roberts
26. Philadelphia Eagles
Will Campbell, OT LSU
Will Campbell has still given up zero sacks on the year. He might kick inside and play guard in the NFL, but he's a clear top 3 or 4 offensive lineman in this class. – Travis May
27. Pittsburgh Steelers
Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State
With all of the WR options that suit Pittsburgh off the board, it’s wise to turn to the other side of the ball and attend to the perimeter. Burke is the prototype for what Pittsburgh covets in corners. He’s long with physicality and press-man abilities. That pairs perfectly with another high-pedigree player, Joey Porter Jr., as the two could form a duo of shutdown corners for a decade plus. – Rob Gregson
28. Minnesota Vikings
Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
It's not a premium position, but this is a slam dunk if Jeanty falls this far. Jeanty is a complete running back who will be a major weapon for the Vikings. – Tyler Forness
29. Washington Commanders
Landon Jackson, EDGE Arkansas
Washington's foray into the EDGE market backfired in years past, but the team has to add young, athletic talent to build around. Landon Jackson is gigantic but nimble, and one of the most productive pass-rushers in the country. – Ian Valentino
30. Buffalo Bills
Shavon Revel Jr., CB East Carolina
The Bills had to make multiple moves ahead of the 2024 season to clean up their salary books. Multiple moves involved them gutting their secondary of veteran players who had started a lot of games for the team over the years. So I have them grabbing East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr. If it weren't for the injury Revel Jr. is probably not an option for the Bills at pick 30. Has great size and length at CB and was expected to be an elite athletic tester prior to the injury. We may not get to see him perform at the NFL Combine as he recovers but as long as teams get a good sense that he will get back to 100% I see no reason he doesn't still hear his name called in the first round. – Destin Adams
31. Detroit Lions
Walter Nolen, DT Ole Miss
Walter Nolen offers incredible versatility to line up anywhere along the defensive front for any NFL team. His play strength, high motor, and selflessness create havoc on what seems to be every play. – Travis May
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Ole Miss
There are less than 10 edge rushers in the nation with a pass rush win rate and pressure rate over 16%. Princely Umanmielen is one of them. And he finishes too. He's already up to eight sacks in as many games this fall. – Travis May
We'll be back with more NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
